Jelly Roll Help
 

As many of you know a few weeks back Joann fabric had a great sale on all pre Cutts. I was able to buy enough for several projects I would like to do.
I had the block in mind for my 1st quilt. A quilt for my youngest to take to college this fall. I layed out 1st block every thing was great, love the color, fabric, pattern. Tho when looking at it decided it was a bit larger than I wanted. No problem. I'll save this for a pillow sham. This is when things went down hill and wouldn't work. The blocks on the next set were so off and uneven. At this point I recheck all my work and everything was spot on. I then start measuring the strips and they are all so unbelievably off. (My 1st block was just a fluke.) I can't seem to get the strip even. They are like a roller coaster. I have read that people are just returning them and then others are saying for the price they will trim them up. I have already spent hours going through and trimming them with no significant change. I have also tryed another block Trying to hide the unevenness. This isn't great either. I would call myself a beginner, so it maybe a combination of something I'm missing and the uneven strips.
I'm hoping that someone has a method to trim up these strips. Or help me jump ship and I'll get some moda jelly rolls and fat quarters. Thanks for taking time to read this.

I only buy Moda Jelly Rolls. I have had good luck with them being true to size.

Welcome aboard!! I'm sorry your having such a difficult time with your first project. Can you tell us what pattern your using? Unfortunately pre-cuts are notorious for their inconsistent cutting, some are too big, others too small, some are just right and it happens to all manufacturers. It's always advisable to measure before you begin a project, so you know what your getting into. Also check your 1/4 in seam allowance.
Others will be along shortly with more solutions!!

When you say they are uneven, what are the measurements? In other words, what are the strips at their widest and at their most narrow? Also, do the strips have pinked edges? If so, how are you measuring -- from the tips or the valleys?

Worst case, if the strips are badly off, you might be able to use them for a different pattern that does not require precision.

If you want to make the particular pattern you have started, then your best bet may be to purchase Moda jelly rolls.

Thanks Lisa, the pattern is Summer in the park made with jelly Rolls. My seam are at a 1/4 inch 1st thing I checked. I've been know to go wide. I'm new to this site and can't get a picture uploaded. Will try later this evening.

These strips are all different widths. No consistency at being inconsistent.
They are not pinked. Do you have any suggestions for a quick easy beginner black? I've tryed fence rail.
Thank you.

I went through the same thing with a jelly roll from JoAnns. I bought one thinking to make a bento box pattern for a baby quilt. The one jelly roll should have been enough to make two baby quilts. The strips were so bad that after using what I could of the jelly roll I had to go buy another one to finish the one quilt. I'll never buy another one from JoAnns.

Cari

I'm sorry you're having problems. Not all pre-cuts are created equal. I have heard stories such as yours from many who have purchased inexpensive pre-cuts. Best advice for the future is to stay away from them and only purchase high quality pre-cuts such as Moda.
To help you salvage what you have now you may have to give up using them in strips and cut them into smaller pieces. Another suggestion is to make a strip block where you can use different width strips. These are often sewn on a stabilizer and then cut to size. Google strip quilts and look at some of the pictures to get some ideas. You'll still be able to use your fabric but probably not in the way you intended.

I don't buy any pre-cuts. I cut my own, I have a huge stash of fabrics I want to use up.

Hate hearing this happening to a beginner cause it's so discouraging. sounds like you will either have to cut down the strips and make smaller blocks (say from 12" to 9, etc) OR change the pattern to use these in smaller cuts--either way you end up needing more fabric :thumbdown: Many of us rarely use precuts, instead opting for yardage which we cut to size, as you avoid this problem plus your fabric can be more versatile.
Citrus suggested a string quilt--you can use various wides of strips for these, google them and see what you think. Also google "Easy Peasy" quilt--it's a type of string quilt that uses strips in larger blocks that you then cut diagonally (use spray starch to avoid stretching them) and realign to get a neat block--my avatar is one that I made as my 2nd quilt.